Books, Bonds, and Beyond with Kindred Obas — The Reading Symphony

In this special live episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast, Katie sits down with colleague and friend Kindred Obas for a conversation about joyful reading culture, complex texts, identity, and the kinds of classroom experiences that help children see themselves as readers.

Together, Katie and Kindred discuss:

how to build a classroom culture where reading feels joyful, social, and meaningful
why classroom libraries should include both mirrors and windows
what Kindred learned from watching students move from books like Dog Man to much more complex texts over time
how her sixth grade Jane Austen book club is helping students grow as readers, thinkers, and community members
why exposure to complex text, paired with support and belonging, can strengthen comprehension and confidence
how families can talk with children about harder histories with honesty, empathy, and care
why it matters to offer books about children of color that are not only rooted in struggle, but also in joy, curiosity, and possibility
Kindred’s next chapter at Stanford, where she will study curriculum, teaching, race, language, and healing-centered approaches to teaching hard history

This episode is a beautiful reminder that reading growth is not just about skill. It is also about identity, access, belonging, and the communities we build around books.

Katie Megrian | 10:15 AM (0 minutes ago) | | to me

Fundraiser by Kindred Obas : Fund Our Journey to Jane Austen's England https://www.gofundme.com/f/fund-our-journey-to-jane-austens-england https://www.gofundme.com/f/fund-our-journey-to-jane-austens-england?attribution_id=sl:e9fcfcf6-52f6-4666-8406-5c5cc968e35a&lang=en_US&ts=1773612248&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp17_tb-amp20_t2&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

Books and Texts Kindred Discusses

Kindred by Octavia Butler
Emma by Jane Austen
A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L’Engle
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson and Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Love Is by Diane Adams
The Great Cake Mystery by Alexander McCall Smith
The Breakfast Club Adventures series by Marcus Rashford
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee
Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time by Lisa Yee